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State Updates: How the freedom to marry moved forward this week

This week was a historic week for the freedom to marry: The nation's highest court heart oral arguments in two landmark cases: Hollingsworth v. Perry, which challenges California's Proposition 8,and Windsor v. United States, the legal challenge to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. The Supreme Court rulings could dramatically impact the marriage movement and stand to move us forward - but we won't know what the Supreme Court will decide until late June. Until then, we know that we must continue growing the majority for marriage and winning more states. Here are updates from some of the states pushing toward the freedom to marry this year.

DELAWARE: The DuPont company, a Fortune100 multi-national company based in Wilmington, DE, announced support for the freedom to marry this week. The company's Sr. Vice President - Human Resources, Benito Cachinero-Sanchez, said: "Our support of marriage equality shows our employees and the community that our commitment to respect for people and equality extends beyond our walls. Our inclusiveness is what allows us to develop and grow...and it reinforces our position as a leading employer."

RHODE ISLAND: Rhode Islanders United for Marriage is capitalizing on the amazing momentum produced by last week's hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, when people across the state spoke out about why marriage matters.

On Monday, mayors from across Rhode Island joined the coalition and voiced their commitment to passing a marriage bill in 2013. "As mayors, we are proud to stand together in support of the freedom of all loving, committed couples to marry," Providence Mayor Angel Taveras said. "The right to marry is an issue of fundamental fairness. I join with my fellow mayors from communities across our state in calling on our elected leaders in the General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 38 and finally bring marriage equality to Rhode Island." Five additional Rhode Island mayors - including Mayor Scott Avedisian of Warwick, Mayor James Diossa of Central Falls, Mayor Donald Grebien of Pawtucket, Mayor Charles Lombardi of North Providence, and Mayor Daniel McKee of Cumberland - signed on as supportive mayors, too.

ILLINOIS: The Illinois General Assembly is taking a two-week break, but Illinois Unites for Marriage isn't taking a break at all - they're busy these next two weeks growing the campaign, connecting thousands of supporters with their representatives, and continuing to build momentum. Check out Illinois Unites HERE.

Jeff Tweedy of alternative rock band Wilco published an editorial this week urging Illinoisians to support marriage for same-sex couples. "By excluding same-sex couples from marriage, our state saddles them, their children and itself with second-class status," Tweedy wrote. "That is wrong, and it hurts Illinois families and businesses."

MINNESOTA: Minnesotans United for All Families has been running television ads this week trumpeting the importance of bringing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples across the state. The cable TV buy features the popular "Grandparents" ad from the 2012 Election, and it also introduces "Weddings," which features Lynn & Dane Youngblom of Duluth, Minnesota, who share their hope that their son, Kyle, might one day have the freedom to marry in Minnesota just like his siblings. Watch the ad here: